Wicked and Gladiator II are both off to a strong start at the box office; however, it won’t be as big of an opening weekend as Barbenheimer. Wicked and Gladiator II are both now playing in United States theaters.

Barbenheimer” was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But that hasn’t stopped people from trying to recreate it. This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation “Wicked” opens against the chest-thumping sword and sandals epic “Gladiator II.

Wicked” and “Gladiator II” both drew less in Thursday previews than their “Barbenheimer” counterparts, but are still expected to help the fall box office.

Wicked offers a gravity-defying origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West, while Gladiator II revisits the violence of ancient Rome.

Fans of 'Wicked' have been thrilled to see the behind-the-scenes photos since filming started, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo portraying Glinda and Elphaba respectively. Mea